The Citizens Three Goals to Nil The Red Devils: Lauren Hemp finds the net in City comfortable victory.

Just as Storm Claudia swept through the northwest the prior day, City blew Manchester United away at the their home ground. It was a statement three-nil triumph for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their championship potential as they consolidated their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Defeats for United

This outcome signalled successive Women's Super League defeats for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, leaving them seven points off the league leaders with their title hopes severely dented.

The Red Devils' capability to balance league and European football with a small team has been a widely debated issue since they qualified for the European competition. Reviewing the calendar, it always appeared this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this capability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they seemed fatigued from start to finish, the landmark win against PSG clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

Skinner had sought to rotate the squad with a handful of adjustments. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all added energy, although the dropping of the on-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

City, in opposition, have fewer fitness issues. Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since recovering from injury.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to accumulate for Skinner and his squad from the first whistle. This was a show of the strength from City whose dynamic offense controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime first half performance that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This placed City firmly in control and saw the visitors all at sea. In advance of this match, United had let in just a handful in this league campaign but they fell apart in the face of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The early indicators came early when Miedema used her strength to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Hemp was at the center of everything early on, taking advantage of the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right side. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had several forays forwards, their direct style giving them options in the wide areas but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, commanded possession, teasing their opponents and trying to lure them of their organization.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A ball to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the campaign.

They extended their advantage with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was permitted to drive through the center from central defence, the play opened up for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the wing before providing a accurate low cross for Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a swift change in the ball saw Hemp afforded the opportunity to drive a attempt home from distance.

After the Break

The clearest adjustment came from Skinner at the half-time as Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the match. Former City player Jess Park came nearest, striking the woodwork, but the away team were offensively poor and failed to register a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, meanwhile, could have extended their lead when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the winning team. After failing to beat any side who finished above them last season, City's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to put them in a commanding situation after nine matches.